Better With Age: These Fish Can Jump Farther When They’re Older

Mar. 16, 2018 - This is a Mangrove rivulus fish. A new study shows that the older this fish gets, the farther it can jump. Researchers studied more than 200 fish, and found the oldest ones were the longest jumpers. Bone length and placement was a factor in determining how far young fish could jump. But those physical characteristics didn’t matter as much with age. Older fish could jump farther because they have more developed musculature and neural systems to coordinate jumping. For these fish, experience trumps youth.

Better With Age: These Fish Can Jump Farther When They’re Older

Mar. 16, 2018 - This is a Mangrove rivulus fish. A new study shows that the older this fish gets, the farther it can jump. Researchers studied more than 200 fish, and found the oldest ones were the longest jumpers. Bone length and placement was a factor in determining how far young fish could jump. But those physical characteristics didn’t matter as much with age. Older fish could jump farther because they have more developed musculature and neural systems to coordinate jumping. For these fish, experience trumps youth.